A gun and ammunition have been found inside a car in a pub car park in Lancashire, police have said.

The vehicle, a white Saab 93, is believed to have been left at the Borough public house on Grimshaw Street, Darwen, on Monday.

Police were contacted about the car on Wednesday following concerns it could have been abandoned.

Officers said the Saab was reported as stolen from the Wigan area on 28 July and had false registration plates.

'Extremely rare'

Det Insp Mark Winstanley said: "I would appeal to anyone who has been in the area over the past few days and who may have witnessed any suspicious activity around this vehicle to come forward and contact us.

"It is an unusual incident and something that we do not come across very often in east Lancashire, as incidents involving firearms and the discovery of guns are extremely rare.

"Our investigation is focusing on the vehicle and what it has been doing since being stolen in July.